International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis 2018; 4(2): 34-37 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijsqa doi: 10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180402.11 ISSN: 2469-8156 (Print); ISSN: 2469-8164 (Online)

Production and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages with Its Consequence in India: A Short Review

Raghu Holalkere Sriram, Rajeshwara Achur

Department of Biochemistry, Kuvempu University, Shimoga, India Email address:

To cite this article: Raghu Holalkere Sriram, Rajeshwara Achur. Production and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages with Its Consequences of in India: A Short Review. International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis. Vol. 4, No. 2, 2018, pp. 34-37. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180402.11

Received : December 18, 2017; Accepted : January 16, 2018; Published : February 26, 2018

Abstract: Brewing and drinking of various liquors was developed into an art in ancient India as well as in Karnataka. Beverages are believed to contain ethanol are mentioned in ancient Indian literature dated back to Vedic period around 2000 B. C. Ancient Indian medical texts described in details the harmful effects of excessive or indiscriminate drinking on the mind and body Ethanol or generally referred as Alcohol consumption is gradually increasing in the developing countries in the last two decades. In India, cumulative cost of alcohol consumption is more than the income due to their sale. The proportion of injuries linked to alcohol use is estimated to be 59% of all injuries in India. In 1830, Edward Dyer traveled to India and set up the India's first brewery in Kasauli. Karnataka ranks third in the country in ethanol production. India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), Country Liquor, Illicit liquor and Beer are the types of alcoholic beverages available in India. Keywords: Brewing, Alcohol Consumption, India Made Foreign Liquor, Country Liquor, Illicit Liquor, Beer

1. Introduction Brewing and drinking of various liquors was developed along with wholesome food with a cheerful mind, to him into an art in ancient India as well as in Karnataka. Beverages wine is like ambrosia.” However also states that “to a person are believed to contain ethanol are mentioned in ancient who drinks whatever kind comes in hand to him, and Indian literature dated back to Vedic period around 2000 B. C whenever he gets an opportunity, this very wine acts as a [1]. Two verities of drinks are described soma and sura along poison,” Despite the knowledge and availability of alcoholic with their effects and the harms that might result from beverages in India they were never a part of the normal diet excessive consumption. Several interpretations exist on the in India [5]. Strict rules and guidelines governed who could drinking habit of Kannadigas [2]. Smritis or sacred texts (like drink and under what circumstances. Manusmriti and Yajayavalkyasmriti) consider drinking liquor (sura ) was a great sin and forbidden to certain communities (Brahmins, Jains, Veerashaivas). Karnataka is homeland of a 2. Production and Consumption of variety of tasty and well flavored indigenous alcohols and Alcoholic Beverages in India liquors. There were mild and strong ones brewed from rice, ragi (sweet barley), palm and ichala (wild palm) and milder In 1830, Edward Dyer traveled to India and set up the ones prepared from grapes, mangoes, jackfruit, coconut, and India's first brewery in Kasauli. It produced the beer brand dates flavored with flower essences [3]. Alcohol was also an Lion, which is still available. In 1835, the Kasauli brewery ingredient in many medicinal preparations in the traditional was shifted to Solan near Shimla. In 1885, it was incorporated as Dyer Breweries. By the year 1882, there Ayurvedic medicinal system [4]. Ancient Indian medical texts described in details the harmful effects of excessive or were 12 breweries in India in all, including one in Rangoon indiscriminate drinking on the mind and body. Charaka [6]. In 1892, about 4,831,127 gallons of beer was produced in Samhita, a 2000 year old book on medicine stats that “If a India. Out of this 2,748,365 gallons were purchased by person takes it in right manner, right dose, at right time and commissariat and rest was left for consumption by the 35 Raghu Holalkere Sriram and Rajeshwara Achur: Production and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages with Its Consequences of in India: A Short Review civilian population. million liters for blended gasoline in 2012. Out of 330 Currently, the country's ethanol production is likely to distilleries in India, about 140 have the capacity to distill increase by 29 per cent to 2,170 million liters in 2012 on the around 2 billion liters of conventional ethanol per year and back of higher sugar production India produces conventional could meet the demand for five per cent mandatory blending ethanol from sugar molasses, is estimated to manufacture 26 of ethanol with petrol [7]. Alcohol sales are state subjects in million tones of sugar in the 2011-12 marketing year ending India and everyone looks at it as a golden goose which must September, higher than the domestic demand of 22 million be exploited to the hilt. The alcoholic beverages industry, as tones. India’s ethanol production is 2,170 million liters in they say is recession-proof. With a rising and promising 2012, against 1,681 million liters last year. Domestic GDP, Rising social acceptability, conspicuous consumption consumption of ethanol is 2085 million liters in 2012 and high disposable income of the globalized consumer is compared to 1995 million liters in 2011. About 880 million pushing the industry to newer heights. Also, rapid liters of ethanol is likely to be used in manufacturing of urbanization in metros and cities, is contributing further to portable liquor, 720 million liters for industrial use and 400 the growth.

(Source: Dr. Vikram, Healthcare in India from a doctors Perspective, 2013). Figure 1. Prevalence of alcohol use among men and women in India.

In case of Karnataka which ranks third in the country in style distilled beverages such as whiskey, rum, gin, vodka ethanol production [8]. It has been estimated that the State and brandy. These beverages are made in India under ethanol production will increases from 135 million liters a government licenses and maximum alcohol content is 42.8%. year to 200 million liters a year from molasses. In Karnataka, Some of these brands have all India presence. Whisky is the government is in the wholesale business, Excise revenue most popular drink with hundreds of brands. India is the is currently 20 per cent of State revenue. largest whisky market in the world . The estimated whiskey market in India in the year 2013 was about US $10 billion or INR 541.389 billion . Dozens of rum, gin and brandy brands 3. Types of Alcoholic Beverages Available are available. Wines also belong to this category, but till and Consumed in India recently the production and consumption in India was almost nonexistent. India accounts for 22.5 percent of the total alcohol consumption. India has great variety in climate, vegetation, 3.2. Country Liquor culture and tradition. Hence it is not surprising that hundreds of alcoholic beverages are made and consumed here. They These distilled alcoholic beverages are made from cheap can be grouped in to following categories. raw materials which are available locally example, sugarcane, rice or coarse grains. Country liquor is produced 3.1. India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) in licensed distilleries and sold from authorized outlets within the same district. Common varieties of Country liquor are This is created for revenue purpose, consists in western International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis 2018; 4(2): 34-37 36

arrack, desi sharab and tari (toddy). The licensing system every rupee the government got off the bottle, it lost more and governmental monitoring of the production process than Rs. 2 in terms of healthcare expenses and lost ensures uniformity in alcohol content (around 40%). productivity. The increased rate of alcohol consumption in Northern and western India are sugar producing areas where India has adverse effects on society, economy, youth, health, large amount of molasses is available at a very low price safety and absenteeism. The proportion of injuries linked to hence molasses is used as raw material for liquor production. alcohol use is estimated to be 59% of all injuries in India [10] . In south India, coconut and other palms are used for it. Apart The percapita consumption of alcohol in India is about 2 from this inexpensive grains are also used for the production litres / adult / year (calculated from official 2003 sales and of country liquor all over India. population figures). After adjusting for undocumented consumption, which accounts for 45-50% of total 3.3. Illicit liquor consumption, this is likely to be around 4 litres. The Other than licensed distilleries a number of small proportion of injuries ‘linked’ to alcohol use is estimated to production units operate illicitly. The raw materials used are be 59% of all injuries in India. Violent and deliberate injuries similar to that of country liquor, but the alcohol concentration are significantly related to use and form the largest segment varies and adulteration is frequent. Most commonly the of alcohol related injuries. Out of all injuries, the one concentrations of these liquors are around 56%. These are unrelated to alcohol use is 41% whereas 24% accounts for considerably less expensive than country liquor hence find a injuries due to own drinking and the remaining 35% is due to ready market among the poor. In addition to the commercial others drinking. The problem of alcoholism can be classified production, home production for personal consumption is into following categories [10]. also common in some parts of India. A survey of Punjab 4.1. Health and Safety alcohol users found that 45% of them reported home liquor production for their own consumption. Home fermentation It has been observed that trauma, violence, organ system and distillations are also common in several tribal areas [9]. damage, various cancers, unsafe sexual practices, premature death and poor nutritional status of families with heavy 3.4. Beer drinking fathers are associated with alcohol use. About 15 to Beer is relatively recent arrival in India; however beer 20% of traumatic brain injuries and 37% of injuries in a production and consumptions have grown rapidly. In India public hospital were due to alcohol. About 34% of those who beer is manufactured in large licensed breweries and is attempted suicide were abusing alcohol. available in more than 60 brands. Alcohol content varies 4.2. Work Place from 5% to 9%. Beer is available in bottles and cans which are recently introduced. Since the price is higher than the It can be noticed that, about 20% of absenteeism and 40% distilled liquor it is a drink for the middle and upper of accidents at work place are related to alcohol. Annual loss economic classes. Beer also has become the favorite due to alcohol was estimated to be Rs. 70,000 to 80,000 beverage of urban young. million in India. In rural India the use of alcohol leads to loss Since India’s economic liberalization, the market for IMFL of pay. Most workers in the rural areas are working on daily and imported liquors is growing fast. It is estimated that the wages and inability to work due to intoxicated state leads to liquor industry is expanding 30 per cent year-on-year. In various other socio-economical problems. 2015, liquor consumption is pegged to touch about 20 billion litres. The total value of spirits, wine and beer consumed in 4.3. Family India is projected to be in the neighborhood of Rs. 1.5 lakh It has been estimated that about 85% of men who were crore in 2015. violent towards their wives were frequent or daily users of A National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological alcohol. 3 to 45 % of household expenditure is spent on Sciences study in Karnataka a few years ago found that for alcohol. Use of alcohol increases in debtedness and reduces every rupee the government got off the bottle, it lost more the ability to pay for food and education. This in turn has than Rs. 2 in terms of healthcare expenses and lost adverse effects on society such as lack of education, health productivity. The increased rate of alcohol consumption in and sanitation for childrens. It also creates a serious social India has adverse effects on society, economy, youth, health, problem due to inability of the family to pay for their daily safety and absenteeism. The proportion of injuries linked to expenses. alcohol use is estimated to be 59% of all injuries in India [10]. 4.4. Youth

Young people, especially teenagers, are more sensitive to 4. Consequences of Alcohol Consumption alcohol use because their body and brain are still developing. in India Increasingly in India, the young are being lured for alcohol use. They are impressionable, want to be seen as fun, hip, A National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological cool and ‘belong’ to their peer groups and friend circles. This Sciences study in Karnataka a few years ago found that for addiction of youth towards alcohol has adverse effects on the 37 Raghu Holalkere Sriram and Rajeshwara Achur: Production and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages with Its Consequences of in India: A Short Review growth and development of the society as well as on the [2] Dikshitar VR. (1951). Prehistoric south India. Madras: N. S. economy of the country. Press. [3] Jyotsna Kamat (2013). Drinking in Ancient Karnataka. 4.5. Poverty by Alcohol Karnataka History Academy Conference. Hampi. Alcohol exacerbates poverty and is a hindrance to a [4] Prakash O. (1961). Food and drinks in ancient India. New healthy development process of a nation and society. Its Delhi: Munshi Ram Manohar Lal, publishers. economic impact is in poorest families; especially the money [5] Charak Samhita. (1949). Shree Gulabkunverda Ayurvedic spent on alcohol is rather a large proportion of the family Society, Jamnagar, Popular Edition, Vol. III, Chapter 24: earnings. This is often under estimated. Alcohol dependence 2203-2247. is a major health problem in India. An estimated 32-42% of adult Indian population reports high usage of alcohol in their [6] Sir William Wilson Hunter (1886). The Indian Empire: Its People, History, and Products . Asian Educational Services. p. lifetime. 5-7% is abuser of alcohol and 10-20 million persons 616. ISBN 978-81-206-1581-6. have been estimated to be in need of treatment for alcohol dependence. The reports also indicated that there is a steady [7] Economic times, 2012, June 27. India's 2012 Ethanol Output rise in per capita alcohol consumption every year [10]. Likely to rise 29%. [8] The Hindu, 2012, June 6. State eyes second position in country in ethanol output. References [9] Brij Lal and Singh G, (1978). Alcohol consumption in Punjab. [1] Chopra RN, Chopra IC (1965). Drug addiction with special Indian journal of psychiatry, 20: 217. reference to India. New Delhi: council of Scientific and [10] Benegal V, Velayuudham A, Jain S, (2003), Social Cost of Industrial Research. Alcoholism: a Karnataka perspective, NIMHANS Journal, 18 (1&2) 67.